Strength through Synergy"Synergy" is just a word. Yet synergy summarizes how I feel about JEMI France's recent integration within SEMI on November 20. These two organizations, working as one, will strengthen Europe's position in high tech. This is a merger that will make a difference… one that will make a contribution to the global success of the European semiconductor industry.

Together, there is strength through synergy as JEMI France fully integrates into the SEMI global structure with a new SEMI Europe office in Grenoble. (more)

2010 Fab Spending Accelerates to 65%, but No New Fab Plans in Sight
By Christian Gregor Dieseldorff, SEMI Industry Research and StatisticsIt appears that 2010 will be a much better year for the semiconductor industry. 2010 fab spending is expected to increase 65% over 2009 levels. However, with new fab plans put on hold, one major concern surfaces: Are we are doing enough to meet future demand?

Interview with Dr. Mauro FerrariBy Karen Lightman, managing director, MEMS Industry GroupDr. Ferrari is sometimes called 'the father of BioMEMS.' Karen Lightman from the MEMS Industry Group interviewed Ferrari after his keynote address at the 2009 MEMS Executive Congress.

A New Approach to Yield EnhancementBy Paul McLaughlin, Rudolph Technologies, Inc.Rudolph Technologies' recent history and long-term future strategy include significant growth through acquisition. In addition to basic financial value, we have identified a number of key attributes that guide our search for acquisition candidates, all pursuant to our underlying strategic goal of occupying a dominant position in every market we serve.Growing Packaging Materials Market under PressureBy Jan Vardaman, TechSearch International, and Dan Tracy, SEMIWhile the semiconductor packaging materials market will contract in 2009, a recovery in unit shipments and materials consumption occurred in the second quarter of the year and looks to continue through the fourth quarter.

Would you like to participate in a FP7 project proposal that is already partially written, with a reasonable chance of acceptance? The project will fund recruitment of researchers and networking activities, workshops or conferences.

SOLARCON India 2009: A Success StorySOLARCON India 2009, the first exhibition dedicated to India's PV industry, was held November 9-11 in Hyderabad. India's growing energy needs and its ability to tap the power of the sun, combined with the event's timing (before the National Solar Mission announcement) helped drive up interest and make it a success.

Thank you for reading this newsletter. We hope that you find SEMI Global Update informative and relevant. Let us know if we can improve the content and quality of SEMI Global Update. Please send your ideas, comments and suggestions to: